49
votes
Accepted
Do any texts explicitly forbid Hindus from eating beef?
Not just beef, eating any kind of meat is by default prohibited in Hinduism. Consider the following statements from the primary Hindu book of law:
Meat can never be obtained without injury to ...
- 25.8k
21
votes
As a Hindu, can I feed other people beef?
Manu Smriti 5.51. He who permits (the slaughter of an animal), he who
cuts it up, he who kills it, he who buys or sells (meat), he who cooks
it, he who serves it up, and he who eats it, (must all be ...
- 101k
19
votes
Accepted
Why did Lord Krishna kidnap Rukmini to get married?
As per vedas getting married to a girl after kidnapping is considered
devil/daemon (दानव) Vivaha (marriage) which isn't righteous
(धर्मानुकूलन).
You have perfectly stated the correct thing. Shri ...
- 25.8k
19
votes
What is the difference between dharma and religion?
Western lexicons refer to all faiths of the world by the term "religion". Therefore, from a Western perspective, Hinduism is also known as one of the world's "religions". The reference to Hinduism as ...
- 830
18
votes
Why did Sri Rama banish Lady Sita when he was a witness of her fire-test himself?
UTTARA KANDA is a PRAKSHIPTA - an insertion made at a later date. As the episode of banishment of Sita finds place in this Kanda, it has to be rejected.
In view of the following contradictions in the ...
- 16.1k
18
votes
What is Dharma according to the Bhagavad Gita?
Dharma, in spiritual context, can be loosely stated as right action. And what is the right course of action for a person depends upon many factors like time, place, situation, etc. Hence, dharma is ...
- 25.8k
17
votes
Are these verses from Garuda Purana and Brihadaranyaka Upanishad asking men to beat women? If not, how should they be interpreted?
Garuda purana 1.109.31 is a verse taken From manu smriti, also it's taken without its context
Manu says this
8.299. A wife, a son, a slave, a pupil, and a (younger) brother of the full blood, who ...
- 2,547
16
votes
How is "Patriotism" seen from the Hindu Dharma perspective?
The Vedas, in particular, do not have a limited (narrow) vision of patriotism. The Vedas clearly say that we all are the children of Mother Earth. Hence, we should love the whole earth as our ...
- 101k
16
votes
Accepted
What exactly is a leela (लीला)? Is there a scriptural definition of leela (लीला)?
First of all, a question arises:
How or why is the name or concept of Leela relevant in Hinduism?
It's because Brahman is defined as fully omniscient and omnipotent by many Vedic verses. Brahman is ...
- 44k
16
votes
Accepted
Why did god create us even though he knew that we will partake in adharma?
Let's see this the way Tantra talks about it. Shiva Sutras, Introduction part, Page xix,
The God is nothing but Ultimate Reality, also termed as chit or Parasamvit. It is non-relational consciousness....
- 6,416
15
votes
Accepted
What are the four legs of Dharma?
No, the four legs of the bull of Dharma do not represent percentages of righteousness in society (although it is true that the number of righteous people decline as the Yugas progress). Rather, the ...
- 93.6k
15
votes
Accepted
Can a married woman take out her Mangala Sutra and keep it anywhere?
No. A married woman is not allowed to remove mangal sutra for the sake of convenience.
As you have said in the question, we see many people who do not wear mangal sutra to offices and to some social ...
- 24.9k
15
votes
Accepted
Do scriptures allow Hindus to marry foreigners?
No, the Dharma Shastras explicitly forbid Hindus from marrying foreigners, otherwise known as Mlecchas.
Here are some verses from the Atri Smriti that prohibit interracial marriages:
The purification ...
- 20.7k
14
votes
Is organ donation allowed? Have any Hindu acharyas commented on this practice?
I believe, organ donation is not a bad practice. Its a religion of Humanity where we can help someone even after your death. Its one way you can help someone after your death. As per my knowledge ...
- 296
13
votes
Accepted
Does the shloka 'ahiṃsā paramo dharma' or excerpt appear in Mahabharata?
Yes, this shloka is present in Mahabharata.
1) Adi Parva of Mahabharata:
Sauti Muni talking about Rishi Sahasrapat tells Rishi Ruru about the characteristics of a brahamana.
अहिंसा परमॊ धर्मः सर्वप्रा...
- 5,062
13
votes
Can a married woman take out her Mangala Sutra and keep it anywhere?
This is to supplement Sree Charan's correct answer with quotes from Shastras.
The Manu Smriti says that there is no Vedic sacrament for women.But what is Vedic sacrament for men the nuptial (wedding) ...
- 101k
13
votes
Accepted
What are the Hindu Code of Conduct (Ethics)?
In Santana Dharma, the "right way of living" is preached in many scriptures. Actually the Sanskrit word "Dharma" itself stands for similar meaning.
Ethics (Ethical code or Code Of ...
- 23.8k
13
votes
What to do when scriptures go against conscience?
The answer to this question is given in scripture itself and in the writings of the greats. Scripture can be regarded as scripture only if it is reasonable.
Bhisma said in Mahabharata
'Even the ...
- 30.9k
12
votes
How is "Patriotism" seen from the Hindu Dharma perspective?
In Hinduism, Earth and Bharatvarsh is considered as mother. And, in general, everyone love their mother.
Vishnu Purana says:
उत्तरम् यत् समुद्रस्य हिमाद्रे: चैव दक्षिणम्।
वर्षम् तद् भारतम् नाम भारती ...
- 22.2k
12
votes
Vishnu seducing Jalandhar's wife Vrinda: How justified?
The source you have cited in question is not proper. You should read Rudra Samhita (Yuddha Khanda) (chapter 13 - Chapter 25) of Shiva Mahapurana and/or Uttarakhada (Chapter 3 - Chapter 18) of Padma ...
- 28.9k
12
votes
Why didn't Lord Ram try to prove Mother Sita's Purity but rather chose to exile her?
Why-didnt-lord-ram-try-to-prove-mother-sitas-purity-but-rather-chose-to-exile her? was Adharma ?
The exact answer why shree Rama sent Sita on exile in the forest and not again took her Agni ...
- 30.1k
12
votes
Accepted
Does Vaishnavism ordain one to cut the tongue of a blasphemer?
The passage you quoted in your question is from Shreemad Bhagavata Maha Purana 4.4.17 and it says that "one should by force cut out the blasphemer's tongue and kill the offender". And your ...
- 30.1k
12
votes
What is the male equivalent of a Widow called, in the scriptures?
Vidhura is the word used for a widower in Baudhayana Dharma Sutras 2.10.17.4:
Now we will explain the rule for entering the order of ascetics (saṃnyāsa).
Some (teachers say), 'He who has finished ...
- 101k
11
votes
Accepted
What are different types of sins?
The question seems simple, but it's a bit broad because there are hundreds of sins mentioned in our scriptures. There are so many kinds of sins mentioned in our scriptures that categorizing them would ...
- 25.8k
11
votes
Accepted
Why did Sri Rama banish Lady Sita when he was a witness of her fire-test himself?
I will try to answer your question despite the comments pointing to a certain other answer.
It is not about justification, but about decision making. If there were rumors about Sita Devi then that ...
- 419
11
votes
After Dhritarashtra, why was Yudhishthira and not Duryodhana considered the next in line to be the king?
In Bharata dynasty (in which Yudhishthira and Duryodhana were born), it was not necessary that only the eldest son of a king will become the next king. The one who was worthy of becoming a king used ...
- 22.3k
11
votes
Accepted
How do we decide what is dharma and adharma?
What is dharma and adharma is determined by scripture. Krishna says in the Gita (XVI. 23-24):
He who discards the injunctions of the scriptures and acts upon impulse of desire attains neither ...
- 22.8k
11
votes
Accepted
Did Swami Vivekananda eat fish and meat before he turned a sannyasi? Did he continue eating fish and meat after?
Before turning into a Sannyasin, there is a greater possibility that Swamiji might have taken the fish at least as it is a chief diet in Bengal.
After becoming a Sannyasin; when Swamiji was in ...
- 1,037
11
votes
What do scriptures say about using swear or abusive words for cursing people?
Almost all cultures & civilizations have warned against harsh speeches. Even the sarcasm or the criticism also mustn't be cruel in nature. Better to withdraw them. During SabhA Parva, when ...
- 18.9k
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